Africa at Work: Interning in Eritrea to Support Education

Mars Keflom's passion for African development took her to Eritrea in 2012. Over a six month period she interned with the office of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS), which matches diaspora youth with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Keflom was placed at the St. Mary's school in Asmara where she taught English to fourth and fifth graders. Her experience not only drew her closer to her heritage but also solidified her commitment to education. Currently in her final year at University of Cincinnati, she hopes to use her degree in international development to further contribute to Africa's development.

An initiative of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS), the Diaspora Youth Participation program organized under the NUEYS Foreign Affairs Department, aims at making it easier for youth in the Diaspora to participate in their country’s development through sustainable projects.

Program Goal: To make Eritrean youth in the Diaspora not only leaders in their communities abroad, but also active participants in national affairs by contributing to their country’s development.

How the Partnership Works:

Guiding youth groups to choose and plan projects feasible to the situation in Eritrea.

Guiding youth groups to effectively fundraise for the implementation of the project.

NUEYS then closely follows up on the implementation and evaluation of the project in Eritrea.

The Outcome: Empowering Eritrean youth in the Diaspora with project management skills that sees the implementation of successful projects within Eritrea and their communities.

For more information, contact NUEYS at
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The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS) is a democratic, non-profit, non-governmental organization that stands for the betterment of Eritrean youth. The mission of NUEYS is to organize and build a versatile youth that is aware and proud of their culture, identity, heritage and history. It also strives to build disciplined, self-confident, mature and responsible youth throughout the country, as well as among Eritrean youth in the Diaspora.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea, the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS) encourages Eritrean youth in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of their country first off by filling out a profile for the Department of Eritreans Abroad Information Management System (DEAIMS Database).

By filling out their profile and submitting it, they include valuable information towards a comprehensive Diaspora Database System and become part of a pool for agents and partners for development in their homeland.

As a remedy to the ‘Brain Drain’ suffered by Eritrea and many other developing countries, the Eritrean Diaspora can play a crucial role as a pool for agents and partners for development in their homeland, especially in critical sectors such as education, health, technology and business.

Asmara, 4 July 2012 – The NUEYS Chairman, Mr. Sultan Seid, explained that the national value of self-sacrifice has been the characteristic feature of Eritrean youths across generations. He made the remarks in an interview he conducted with the state media in connection with the 5th National Youth Festival.

Indicating that Eritrea is a nation blessed with diligent and realism-oriented youths, Mr. Sultan pointed out that their role in the nation building process has become progressively substantial. He further pointed out that the nation is registering significant accomplishments in various domains thanks to the youths inside the country and abroad who are ensuring the required sacrifice.